Rotary percussion drilling device



May 27, 1958 w. J. BIELSTEIN ROTARY PERCUSSION DRILEING DEVICE Original Filed May 23, 1952 FIG; 8.

FIG. Il. IN VEN TOR. WA LTER J. s/ELs rel/v,

A T 0l? Y.

" which a jar is transmitted to a drillbit.

V: ciic aspects, the invention is directed to a drilling de- Y vice in which a-well is drilled in'an earth formation by ,f

Y the lower endof Vthe tubular member. .ranged longitudinally within the tubular member above i vthrough the anvil and the drill bit.

ROTARY PERCUS-SGN DRLLPJG DEVICE Walter J. Bielstein, Corpus hristi, Tex., assigner, by'

mesne assignments, to Esso Research and Engineering Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Original application May 23, 1952, Serial lilo. 282,531,

now Patent No. 2,733,956, dated March 2t), 1956. Di- Avided and this applicmtion .lune 17, 1255, Serial No. '516,171

invention'is' directed to apparatus for drilling a well in ln its more sperotating a drill bit while simultaneously causing jars or Y vibrations on adrill bit.

`iwThis application is a division of Serial No. 289,531, iiled May 23, 1952, for Walter I. Bielstein and entitled i Rotary Percussion Drilling' Device, now U. SpPatent United rates @arent F The'present invention may be described briefly as a dei l vice for drilling a well. in this device a tubular member is provided which is adapted to be attached fat-its upper end to a hollow drill stem; an anvil is slidably arranged in the tubularmember in the lower end thereof. A drill f bit which may be a rock bit or one of the shtai types is' connected to the anvil' projects outwardly from A hammer is arthe anvil for' downward movement thereagainst.V Spring means are arranged in the tubular member to bias the hammer in an upward direction.

Above the hammer in the tubular member is a'rotatable valve means which is slidably arranged in the tubular member in Contact with i.,

anV upper end of the hammer.

The valve means is provided with'at least one por-t for passage of drilling iluid through the tubular member and the hammer and thence "the valve is provided with means for rotating same whereby the valve is opened and closed to interrupt the flow of drilling f uid through the apparatus of the present invention to createa water hammer which causes the hammer to hit the anvil and transmit a jar to the .drill bit.

The means for rotating the valve member maybe i l built into the valve itself and may include slanting or transversely inclined surfaces on a rotatable element o f the valve.A This rotatable element has passageways n which are alternately opened and closed to cause interruption of the flow of the drilling fluid.

The means for rotating the valve member may also include a rotatable shaft attached to the rotatable valve means carrying a helical vane on which a slidable plate is mounted on the vane and in the tubular member. By

properly positioning the plate mounted on the vane, it

' f vention;

* Fig.' Zis 'an enlarged detail view of the valve element of Fig. l;

'Y Fig. 3 is an enlarged View lookingdown on the `valve unit `shown in Fig. 2;

"i" Fig. 4 is a top view of the rotatable` valve 'element :shown in Fig. 2;

raice 2 Fig. 5 is a front view of the valve element shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a View in section taken along the lines 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view in section taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of a modied embodiment of Fig. l;

Fig. 9 is a view looking down on the synchronizing plate shown in Fig. 8;

Y Fig. l0 is a ,top view of the valve housing unit of Fig. 8; and

Fig. ll is a top View of the rotatable valve unit 4shown in Fig. S.

in the several views of the drawing identical numerals will ybe employed to designate identical parts.

Referring now to the drawing numeral 11 designates a tubular member which is provided at an intermediate point-withran inwardly projecting shoulder 12 and at a point Vadjacent a lower end with inwardly projecting keys 13.

Arranged adjacent the lower end of the tubular memberV 11 is an anvil 14 provided with a recess 15 in which is a packing or sealing means 16. Threadedly attached .to the anvil 14 by mating threads 17 is a drill sub 18 which in turn, is threadedly attached by mating threads 18a to a drill bit 19. The drilling sub 18 is provided with keyways 2t? in which the keys 13 are slidably arranged. v Arranged above the-anvil 1d in tubular member 11 is a hammer 21 provided with a central passageway 22. The hammer 21is provided with an outwardly projecting shoulder 23 which serves as an upper retainer for a helical coil spring 24, the bottom end of which rests on the inwardly projecting shoulderV 12 which acts as the lower spring retainer. Arranged in the upper end of the tubu lar member 11 is a sleeve 25 in which is slidably arranged a-valve piston 26 the lower end of which is attached to the upper end of the hammer 21. Piston 26 is provided with splines 26 arranged in iieyways 25. Rotatably `mounted `within the valve piston 26 `on shaft 27 is a rotatablev valve element 23 which is provided with a plurality of ports or passageways 29. The rotatable shaft 27 is designed to rotate freely inrbearings 3l) and 31. A spline 27 connects the shaft 27 to the element 2S. The piston 26 is provided with a threaded cap 2da `for assembly of the element 2S in the piston 26. In assembling the piston 26 in the device with the cap 28a removed, the rotatable element 23 with the shaft 27 is inserted in the cavity in valve piston 26. Thereafter, the cap 28a is placed over theshaft 27 and the cap 23a is then threadedly connected to valve vpiston 256, The valve piston 26 is then placed within the'sleeve ,25, the splines 26 being slidably arranged in the keyways 25'. Downward travel of thepiston 26 is limited by the downward travel of the hammer 21. It will be noted that 'die rotatable valve element 23 is provided with transversely inclined or slanting surfaces 33 whereby the rotatable valve element 23 is rotated as will be described.

' lt will be seen that the valve piston 25 is provided with ports 34 through ywhich drilling fluid may pass and that the anvil 14, the sub 13 and the drill bit 19 deline a passageway 35 which connects to passageway 22 for passage of drilling fluid downwardly from the drill stem to which the'member 11 isadapted to be attached atan upper end v thereof by means, not shown.

While in the embodiment of Figs. l to 7 the apparatus is illustrated as being attached to a drill bit 19 through the drill sub 18 itis to be understood that I may attach the drill bit 19 directly to the vanvil-14 and that the sub 18 may beconsidered an integral part of the drill bit 19.

v Referring now to Figs.V 8 to l0, a djerent valvetand rotatable means therefor will be described. Referring now to Fig. 8, a valve piston 50 is slidably arranged within a sleeve S1'which,'in turn, is iiXed in the' tubular member 11. The valve piston 50 is attached to the hammer with its lower end in contact Awith the upper end of'the harnmer 21 as in the embodiment of Figs. l to 7 V`Arranged within the valvepiston 50 is a rotatable valve element 52 which denes a plurality of ports 53. The rotatable valve member 525is attached by key 54' to a shaft 54 Ywhich is mounted in the piston 50Y on bearings 5S and 56; The shaft v54 has a helical vane 57 attached to an Drilling tiuid is being pumped down throughthe Vtubular Y member 11 whichris attached by means vnot shown to a hollowv drill stem which causes the piston valvermem-` ber 50 to beV pushed downwardly. Fluid pressure on the piston valve memberk 50pushes this member downwardly, thereby pulling helical Ymember 57` through plate 58 and rotating the helical member 57 as well as the valve member 52. This rotation'aligns.the-,segmental Y openings in the valve member 52 with the ports 65 and the piston member 50, thereby allowing fluid owrthrough the valve and relieving the force supplied to the-pistonV member 50 by uid'pressure, so that the Apiston moves upper end'thereof onwhich is -lloosely mounted a spider synchronizing plate-58 which, in turn, is arranged'in the tubular member 11 and particularly in the key'ways 59 z `Ythrough sphericaleor'ball keys 6%. Vfl`wisted baror vane 57Y has a protruding pin'Sa which limits the down travel ofbar 57 as it ispulled through synchronizing plate 58 Yby downward movement of valve piston 50. The valve Y piston 50k has a threaded cap Stia for assembly ofthe elementV 52 in piston'50. The tubular member 11 may be connected to aV lower section 11b. YWith the section 11a disconnected from/the section 11b, and with cap 50a 1 removed,t he element 52 with shaft 54 is inserted in the cavityr in the piston 50, the cap 50a being previously i inserted on the shaft 54. The Icap 59a is then connected to Vthe piston 50. The sections llaandllbV areY then .threadedly' connected, the plate'50, springs 63 and 64, land the vane 57 with shaft' 54 connected thereto having previously been arranged in section 11a. Y

The tubular member 11 in this embodiment of my Ainvention deiines inwardly projecting shou1ders61 and 62 above and below the plate 58. Bearing against the e plate SS'and tending to urge same in an, upward direction is ar'coil spring 63, the lower end of which rests on the in- ,y suitably'constructed of an upper section 11a threadedly t to the hammer 21 andragainst the anvil 14 and, inturn,

to bit 19Y allowing the formation to be Apierced more Y readily than heretofore. Y Y t the description taken `with therV several figures of the' drawing that theflow of drilling It is to be understood in uid is never entirely cut olf but is only interrupted but this interruption is suicient to cause a hammeretec't toYY Y be transmitted against the drill bit ashas been described.

wardly projecting shoulder 61. Bearing against the plate 58Vand tending to urge it downwardly is ya Vsecond coil spring 64, the upper end of which is retained by'inwardly projecting shoulder 62. n

The apparatus of the preesnt invention operates in the following manner with respect to Figs. l to 7. Y Assuming drilling operations to be proceedingand that the Vtubular member 11 is attached to a rotating hollow drill stem and drilling liuid is being circulated downwardly through the drillstem ofthe apparatus of the present invention, the iiowVV of drilling Viuid against the slanting surfaces lor transversely inclined surfaces 33 causes the rotatable valve member 28 to rotate. By rotation of the rotatable valve element 28 the ports 34 of the piston memberv 26 are alternately opened and closed. VIn the closedposition e the tiow ofY drilling uid is at least Vpartially interrupted by virtue of restricting the ow which causes a force to be exerted downwardly on the rotary valve piston 26 which,

. in turn, exerts a force on the hammer 2,1 which causes it to strike against the anvil 14 and creates a jaron the` bit 19.,` By virtue of therapid ow Vof the drilling uid down through the drill stem and the tubular member 11 and by virtue Vof the rotation of the rotatable element 28 a `water hammer effect is created which results in substantially the entire force of thedrilling fluid Vbeing imposed Y against the rotary valve piston'26 which, in turn, imposes its force on `the hammer which causes rapid striking of l blows a gaiust the anvil 14. Upward travel of the hammer f' A21 results when ports 34 in the piston 26 begin opening.

The ation ofthe spring 24 plusrebound of the hammer 21 from the anvil 14 throws the hammer 21 upwardly.

incotact'with the cutting edges ofthe bit isetected.Y

i. ifThe*la*pparatusY of Figs. StolQ operates YYin asomewhat similar manner which will be described as follows:

The nature and'objects ofthe present inventionhaving been completely described and' illustrated, whatrlV wish to claim as new Patent is:

d .1l A device forrdrilling wells which comprises,incorn-V bination, a tubular member-'adapted Vto Vbe attached: at its upper :endk to a hollow drillstem,v an anvil slidablyarranged in said tubular member at the lower erid thereof,

a drill bit connected to said anvil projecting 'outwardlyV from and below the lower end of tubularmembesaid anvil and said drill bit having uidly connecting 'passagef ways for drilling uid, a hammer arranged longitudinally within saidy tubular member for downward movementagainst'said'anvil having a passagetherethrough for drilling uid, means normally biasing saidfhammer upwardly,

a valve housing comprising a piston'meniber slidably Var-` YVranged insaid tubular member 'aboveVV and attached to hammerrto strikesaid anvil.

said ,hammer having ports Yfor passage vof drillingfuid `andprovided with a cavity therein, thepassagethrough the hammer communicating uidly with thevportsiofirsaid valve'housing and with the passage through-said'anvil a rotatable valve element rotatably arranged in isaid cavity, said rotatable valve element being provided with ports inclined to the axis of the tubular member for passage of drilling tluid and opposed surfaces also inclined to the axis of the tubular member, said rotatableyalveV element being of general cylindrical shape having opposite-.y Vsegrnentalrrecesses providingV said' opposed inclined1sur faces, flow of drilling huid impinging on said Vinclined surfaces rotating, said rotatable valve Velement relative to*` Vthe ports of said valve housing to restrict said ilow ofv drilling fluidrtov flow'through the ports in thelrrotatableVv valve element when said rotatable valve element slro'tated e into position to close the ports in the valve housing Where` by rotation of said rotatable valve element is maintained and a jar is transmitted Yto said drill bit by said piston member compressing Asaid biasing means to cause Vsaid 2. A'device for drilling'wells which comprises,iin.com-

f Y bination, a tubular member adapted to be attachedV at its Y upper -end Vto a hollow` drillV stem,Y an Vanvil 'slidably' ar'- Y. -ranged in said tubular member and connected at the lower Y end thereof to a sub, a drill bit connectedjto said' subgandl 'projecting outwardly-from and belowV thellower end of said tubular member, said anvil andlsaid drill bit havingV uidly connectingpassageways for drilling uid, Ya ham;

and usefulV and to secureb'yV LettereY mer arranged longitudinally within said tubular member for downward'movement against said anvil having a passage therethrough for drilling fluid, spring' means embracing said hammer normally biasing said hammer upwardly, a sleeve arranged within Said tubular member above said hammer, a valve housing comprising a piston member slidably arranged in said sleeve and attached to said hammer having ports for passage of drillingpuid and provided with a cavity therein, the passage through the hammer communicating liuidly with the ports of said valve housing and with the passage through said anvil a rotatable valve element rotatably arranged in said cavity, said rotatable valve elementV being provided with ports Vinclinf-:d to the axis or" the tubular member for passage surfaces rotating said rotatable valve element relative to the ports of said valve housing to restrict said ilow of drilling duid to flow through the ports in the rotatable valve element when said rotatable valve element is rotated into position to close the ports in the valve housing whereby rotation of said rotatable valve element is maintained and a jar is transmitted to said drill bit by said piston member compressing said spring means to cause said hammer to strike said anvil.

3. A device for drilling wells which comprises, in combination, a tubular member provided with an inwardly projecting shoulder adapted to be attached at its upper end to a hollow drill stem, an anvil slidably arranged in said tubular member at the lower end thereof, a drill bit connected to said anvil projecting outwardly from and below the lower end of said tubular member, said anvil and said drill bit having fluidly connecting passageways for drilling fluid, a hammer arranged longitudinally within said tubular member for downward movement against said anvil having a passage therethrough for drilling fluid and having an outwardly projecting shoulder spaced vertically from said inwardly projecting shoulder, a spring embracing said hammer and arranged between said shoulders normally biasing said hammer upwardly, a valve housing comprising a piston member slidably arranged in said tubular member above and attached to said hammer having ports for passage of drilling i'luid and provided with a cavity therein, the passage through the hammer communicating fluidly with the ports of said valve housing and with the passage through said anvil a rotatable valve element rotatably arranged in said cavity, I

said rotatable valve element being provided with ports inclined to the axis of the tubular member for passage of drilling iluid and opposed surfaces also inclined to the axis of the tubular member, said rotatable valve element being of general -cylindrical shape having opposite i' segmental recesses providing said opposed inclined surfaces, ow of drilling iluid impinging on said inclined surfaces rotating said rotatable valve element relative to the ports of said valve housing to restrict said ilow of drilling fluid to flow through the ports in the rotatable valve element when said rotatable valve element is rotated into position to close the ports in the valve housing whereby rotation of said rotatable valve element is maintained and a jar is transmitted to said drill bit by said piston member compressing said spring to cause said hammer to strike said anvil.

i.. A device for drilling wells which comprises, in combination, a tubular member adapted to be attached at its upper end to a hollow drill stem, said tubular member being provided with a lrey on the lower end thereof, an anvil slidably arranged in said tubular member at the lower end thereof, a drill bit connected to said anv projecting outwardly from and below the lower end of said tubular member and having a keyway in which said v element'rotatably arranged in said cavity, said rotatable valve element Vbeing providedwith 'portsinc'linedjto the axis of the tubular member forpassage of drilling iluid Y and opposed surfaces also inclined to theaxisj of the tubular member, said rotatable valve "element being of general cylindrical shapehavingY opposite segmental rekey is slidably arranged, said anvil and said drill bit havcesses providing said opposed inclined surfaces, ow of drilling duid impinging on said inclined surfaces rotating said rotatable valve element relative to the ports of said valve housing to restrict said flow of drilling fluid to iiow through the ports in the rotatable valve element when said rotatable valve element is rotated into position to close the ports in the valve housing whereby rotation of said rotatable valve element is maintained and a jar is transmitted to said drill bit by said piston member compressing said spring means to cause said hammer to strike said anvil.

5. A device for drilling wells which comprises, in combination, a tubular member adapted to be attached at its upper end to a hollow drill stem, an anvil slidably arranged in said tubular member connected to a drill bit projecting from and below the lower end of said tubular member, said anvil and said drill bit having ilm'dly connecting passageways for drilling iluid, means in the lower end of said tubular member slidably interconnecting said tubular member and said drill bit, a hammer arranged longitudinally within said tubular member for downward movement against said anvil having a passage therethrough for drilling uid, means normally biasing said hammer upwardly, a valve housing comprising a piston member slidably arranged in said tubular member above and attached to said hammer having ports for passage of drilling fluid and provided with a cavity therein, the passage through the hammer communicating uidly with the ports of said valve housing and with the passage through said anvil a rotatable valve element ro tatably arranged in said cavity, said rotatable valve element being provided with ports inclined to the axis of the tubular member for passage of drilling uid and opposed surfaces also inclined to the axis of the tubular member, said rotatable valve element being of general cylindrical shape having opposite segmental recesses providing said opposed inclined surfaces, ow of drilling tiuid impinging on said inclined surfaces rotating said rotatable valve element relative to the ports of said valve housing to restrict said ilow of drilling uid to iiow through said ports in the rotatable valve element when said rotatable valve element is rotated into position to close the ports in the valve housing whereby rotation of said rotatable valve element is maintained and a jar is transmitted to said drill bit by said piston member compressing said biasing means to cause said hammer to strike said anvil.

6. A device for drilling wells which comprises, in combination, a tubular member adapted to be attached at its upper end to a hollow drill stem, an anvil slidably arranged in said tubular member connected to a drill bit projecting from and below the lower end of said tubular member, said anvil and said drill bit having iiuidly connecting passageways for drilling iluid, a hammer arranged longitudinally within said tubular member for downward movement against said anvil having a passage therethrough for drilling fluid, means normally biasing said hammer upwardly, a valve housing comprising a pistou f ofdrillrng 4fluid :and provided with Ya eavity'thereira the'passage through the hammer communicating. AfluidlyV with the ports of said valve housing and with jthe passagev throughsaid; anvil a rotatable valve eleyment rotatably arranged in said cavity, said rotatable 'valve element being provided with ports inclined to the axis of the tubular member for passage ofYV drilling luidjsaid rotatable valve element also being:7 provided with surfaces'xinclinedV to the axis of the tubular member, said ports and said surfacesV inclined to the Y axis of said Vtubular member being circumferentially f member'slidably arrangediinsaidttublar memberabove Y Y and attached to said Vhammer having ports for passage 8 element therebygausing said rotatable valve'element to rotate relative to the `ports' of said valvehousinglto respaced apart in said rotatableivalve elementsuchthat ow of drilling fluid Ythrough the ports in the valve housing Vis through the ports'in the rotatable Valve element Yand against said inclined'surfaces in theprotatable valve References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES i ATENTsV 701,391 Pruszkowski June 3; 1902 1,132,063 Bardem Mar.. 16,11915 2,584,978 BaSSIlger Feb. 12,1952 27,735,653

Bielstrein .l Feb. 2l, 17956 

